There’s more to Los Angeles than lights, camera, action! From the city's early, devilish days populated by missionaries, robber barons, oil wells and orange groves, Chronicles of Old Los Angeles explains how the Wild West became the Left Coast. Learn how Alta California became the 31st state, and how ethnic waves built Los Angeles—from Native Americans to Spaniards, Latinos and Asians, followed by gangsters, surfers, architects and the Hollywood pioneers who brought fame to the City of the Angels. Then, discover the city yourself with six guided walking/driving tours of LA’s historic neighborhoods, profusely illustrated with color photographs and period maps. "As always with Museyon Guides, the book features beautiful paintings and archival photographs. It concludes with six driving and walking tours. The Hollywood driving tour is especially fascinating, with stops at several Hollywood studios and the Hollywood sign." —June Sawyers,  Chicago Tribune "In this case, a fun and informative collection of essays, photos, and maps that touches on everything L.A., from its earliest days as a pueblo through the rush of immigrants to surfers and evangelists, film stars and oil barons—and a lot in between. The 24 essays here are short and informative, and the wit and charm of author Roman ( Chronicles of Old Las Vegas ; Chronicles of Old New York ) keeps the reader interested in myriad topics." —Teri Shiel,  Library Journal "You can haunt Mickey Choen’s 'Sunset Strip' in West Hollywood, learn and visit the site of the Chinese Tong War in 1871, wallow in the mystery that is 'preacher' Aimee Semple McPherson in Venice, and walk in the sandy steps of the Beach Boys in the South Bay." —Sam McManis,  Sacramento Bee James Roman is the author of Chronicles of Old Las Vegas and Chronicles of Old New York and served as editorial contributor to New York Living magazine for six years. He contributes regularly to publications that document emerging technology, and he appeared on the HBO television series Six Feet Under . He lives in Los Angeles. Chronicles of Old Los Angeles Exploring the Devilish History of the City of the Angels By James Roman Museyon, Inc. Copyright © 2015 James Roman All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-940842-00-4 Contents CHAPTER 1. BAY OF SMOKES The Birth of Los Angeles 1781, CHAPTER 2. FANDANGOS IN THE PUEBLO Wealthy Mexicans and the Siege of Los Angeles 1786–1848, CHAPTER 3. CULTURE CLASH The Racial Tensions of Statehood 1850s–1860s, CHAPTER 4. THE MASSACRE Chinese Tong War Ends as a Historic Tragedy 1871, CHAPTER 5. HUNTINGTON'S BOOM The Iron Horse Pokes Its Head through San Fernando Tunnel 1876, CHAPTER 6. Doheny, Canfield, and the Oil Queen of California 1890s, CHAPTER 7. TAKE A RIDE ON THE RED CARS LA Sprawls with an Electric Railway 1901–1961, CHAPTER 8. TROUBLED WATERS Mulholland Builds an Aqueduct 1905–1941, CHAPTER 9. HOLLYWOOD PIONEERS Movie Makers Remake Los Angeles 1914–1928, CHAPTER 10. HOLLYWOODLAND The Neighborhood Beneath the Iconic Sign 1923, CHAPTER 11. SISTER AIMEE Los Angeles Gets Religion 1922–1944, CHAPTER 12. GREYSTONE MANSION Doheny and the Teapot Dome Scandal 1921–1929, CHAPTER 13. SUNSET STRIP UNINCORPORATED Mickey Cohen's Territory, a.k.a. West Hollywood 1925–Present, CHAPTER 14. PENTIMENTO The Controversial Art of David Siqueiros 1932, CHAPTER 15. THE LEFT COAST Reinventing the Democratic Party 1934, CHAPTER 16. THE PARTY IN LITTLE TOKYO Dancing in the Face of Hardship 1934–Present, CHAPTER 17. ON THE AVENUE Jazz Nights at the Dunbar 1928–1948, CHAPTER 18. LOVE ON THE LOT Romances at the Studios during Hollywood's Golden Age 1930s–1950s, CHAPTER 19. SWITCH HITTERS The Dodgers' Home Run at Chavez Ravine 1957–1962, CHAPTER 20. SURF CITY Freeth, Kahanamoku, Blake, Gidget, Dora and The Beach Boys 1907–1964, CHAPTER 21. BOBBY KENNEDY AT THE AMBASSADOR A National Tragedy 1968, CHAPTER 22. NEW VIEW LA's Architectural Innovations 1921–2003, CHAPTER 23. THE VILLA AND THE ACROPOLIS J. Paul Getty Changes the Art World Forever 1954–Present, CHAPTER 24. LAST STOP HOLLYWOOD Where Fame Rests in Peace 1946–2012, WALKING TOURS, TOUR ONE EL PUEBLO AND CHINATOWN, TOUR TWO BUNKER HILL, TOUR THREE HOLLYWOOD, TOUR FOUR HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS, TOUR FIVE SUNSET STRIP AND BEVERLY HILLS, TOUR SIX SANTA MONICA AND VENICE BEACH, INDEX, CHAPTER 1 BAY OF SMOKES THE BIRTH OF LOS ANGELES 1781 For 227 years, nobody told the Native Americans they were living in the Viceroyalty of New Spain. First, the Spanish won Alta California when they conquered the Aztecs in Mexico. Then, their explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo headed north, the first European to set eyes on the land that is today's Los Angeles. He staked a claim for the Viceroyalty of New